I remember reading somewhere that Lionel/Fundimensions/MPC modified the short streamlined tender in order to use colors other than black. The engineered a plug in the mold to replace to coal load. In the early 70s, they produced a very successful train set with a colorful two-tone green painted green steam engine, as well as two-toned "Blue Streak" engine. There were other colorful engine tender combinations. When Lionel went back to black engines and tenders, they just left the plug in. I doubt many young railroaders noticed.
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